THE PHILIPPINE Red Cross urged the National Task Force Against Covid19 to prioritize teachers and other educational personnel in the government’s vaccination program.

“We should not forget the teachers,” PRC Chairman Senator Richard Gordon told NTF deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon in a letter.

“They are heroes. Some have made drastic adjustments teaching remotely through online modules. Others still bear the risk of exposure by delivering modules to remote places for students who do not have access to the internet,” Gordon said.

His request came after Red Cross Youth council advisers and teachers across the country expressed concern over the slow vaccination rate among educational personnel.

As of August 11, the PRC noted that only 140,402 teachers have been vaccinated out of the 800,000 target.

Last month, vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the government will provide vaccines to teachers and non-teaching personnel to prepare for the resumption of physical classes.

“Naka-priority po iyan at plano naming bakunahan ang lahat sa kanila this coming August. Ipa-priority po namin ‘yan, mag-allocate po kami separately for the Department of Education,” Galvez said.

He gave assurances that students in health-related programs will also be vaccinated.